USMNT’s Turner 8/10 with clear sheet as Pulisic, Balogun wrestle

ST. LOUIS — The U.S. males’s nationwide crew recorded a 3-0 victory over Uzbekistan in a world pleasant on Saturday.

Tim Weah obtained the U.S. off to a dream begin, firing house within the fourth minute after good work from Weston McKennie. Folarin Balogun practically doubled the U.S. benefit within the sixteenth minute, however might solely put his header in opposition to the put up.

The U.S. wasn’t in a position to construct on their early dominance, as some sloppy play in midfield and protection created some good alternatives for the guests. Eldor Shomurodov pounced on two errors late within the first half — one every from Tanner Tessmann and Tim Ream — however was denied on each events by Matt Turner.

The second half noticed extra of the identical from the U.S., with numerous possession, however not a lot in the way in which of clear-cut probabilities. That’s till substitute Ricardo Pepi completed off a collection of hustle performs by Sergiño Dest and fellow sub Brenden Aaronson to make the sport secure. Uzbekistan, with no extra subs, went down a participant after an harm to Khojakbar Alijonov within the final 10 minutes. Christian Pulisic then transformed a penalty in stoppage time for the third U.S. objective.

Uzbekistan did have some probabilities by means of outdoors again Alijonov, however could not get the very important contact to actually threaten Turner in objective.

The U.S. will face Oman in St. Paul, Minn. in three days’ time.

RICOOOO SUAVEEEEE pic.twitter.com/GqVcUMois9

— U.S. Males’s Nationwide Soccer Crew (@USMNT) September 9, 2023

Supervisor ranking (scale of 1-10)

Gregg Berhalter, 5 — Berhalter’s first sport again witnessed his crew play a lot of the match in a well-recognized type. There was loads of possession and a few nifty strategy work, however little in the way in which of high quality alternatives, particularly after Balogun hit the put up.

Berhalter obtained good mileage out of his bench, particularly by means of Aaronson and Pepi, and with Uzbekistan pushing ahead, the sport opened as much as give the People some very important further house. That mentioned, this was a scoreline that flattered the house aspect to a level, and with higher ending, Uzbekistan may need gotten extra out of this match.

Granted, it is solely been 5 days of coaching since Berhalter got here again, and on a few of these days the crew was at lower than full power, however the primary takeaway will likely be how the U.S. could not impose itself additional after taking an early lead. Berhalter’s assembly to fix the connection with Gio Reyna cannot occur quickly sufficient.

Participant rankings (0-10; 10 = finest; 5 = common)

GK Matt Turner, 8 — Went lengthy intervals with out having to the touch the ball, however twice bailed the U.S. out with saves from Shomurodov.

DF Antonee Robinson, 6 — Did what he might to hyperlink up with Pulisic and later Weah, however wanted to do higher on these events when Khojiakbar Alijonov reduce inside to strike at objective.

DF Tim Ream, 4 — The St. Louis native captained the aspect in his hometown, however reverted to his U.S. performances of yore, with lengthy spells of stable play solely to have some surprising giveaways.

DF Chris Richards, 7 — Strong within the again, and used his pace to good impact throughout some transition alternatives for Uzbekistan.

DF Sergiño Dest, 7 — Was sharp on the ball, although he did concede a useless free kick within the first half. His mazy run within the 73rd minute practically resulted in a objective.

MF Weston McKennie 7 — McKennie stays an absolute pressure within the field, and did nicely to attract in 4 defenders after which discover Weah for the U.S. objective.

MF Luca de la Torre, 6 — Unfortunate to have to return off following a collision that left his nostril bloodied. Was tidy on the ball, however misplaced just a few duels in midfield, together with one sequence that led to Alijonov hitting the bar within the twenty third minute.

MF Yunus Musah, 6 — Delivered a few of his trademark runs with the ball, however pale a bit within the second half.

FW Christian Pulisic, 5 — Was a lot aggressive within the attacking third, however struggled to beat opponents one-on-one. Simply not lots of finish product on today, and his set piece deliveries had been sub-par. No complaints about his penalty although.

FW Folarin Balogun 5 — Almost obtained on the scoreboard, solely to hit the put up along with his sixteenth minute header. Nonetheless, he reduce a annoyed determine, as his teammates struggled to get him the ball, although he confirmed some nifty footwork across the field. Taken off after 45 minutes, which was the pregame plan.

FW Tim Weah, 7 — Took his objective nicely, and shook free just a few instances down the wing. Simply wanted a bit accuracy along with his crossing.

Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes get no ranking)

MF Tanner Tessmann, 3 — Actually struggled to stand up to hurry after he got here in for de la Torre, and his play did not enhance after halftime.

FW Ricardo Pepi, 7 — Noticed about the identical quantity of the ball as Balogun did, however when he obtained his probability, he completed with authority.

MF Brenden Aaronson, 6 — Introduced his trademark vitality, and his layoff arrange Pepi for the second U.S. objective.

DF Mark McKenzie, 6 — Stepped to the ball with confidence, and was environment friendly along with his passing.

MF Malik Tillman, NR — He threaded the needle to seek out Pulisic late, and received a penalty in second half stoppage time.

DF Kristoffer Lund, NR — Native of Denmark makes his U.S. debut.